Multi-Sensory Environments and Autism

A multi-sensory environment is an artificially-created area, such as a room or a pool, which contains equipment and materials designed to stimulate the senses.

Most multi-sensory environments contain a wide variety of equipment and materials (such as bubble tubes, ballpools, rockers, etc.) because they are designed to provide a variety of stimulation to a variety of different clients.

However it is also possible to design multi-sensory environments to suit the needs of individual children or adults.

Multi-sensory environments are designed to create a feeling of safety and to provide novel and intriguing sensations, which can promotes pleasure and / or feelings of well-being.

They can also be utilised as part of the learning or treatment experience or for leisure and relaxation.